More nationalities now have to pay for tourist visa to Rwanda

A regular source from Kigali has sent out an urgent alert that various changes to the immigration regulations in Rwanda will come into effect on November 1 of this year. Notably, German citizens will now have to pay a US$30 visa fee from which they were previously exempt, in order to obtain a visitor pass not exceeding 30 days.

Equally affected are nationals of Australia, Israel, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America while citizens of Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, and from Mauritius remain exempt from having to pay a visa fee for stays up to 90 days under a tourist visa. Citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo remain also exempt from paying visa fees under bilateral CEPGL arrangements, in spite of the fact that Congo DR has more recently attempted to make Rwandans entering their country pay.

Visitors from member states of the African Union will continue to get visa on arrival, but those not exempt from visa fees will have to pay at the immigration desk on entry at Kigali International Airport, or on land borders.

Visa applications can be processed online through Rwanda’s diplomatic missions abroad or else on arrival in Kigali in person.

Also available for tourists is the common East African tourist visa at a cost of US$100 which covers Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya and is valid for up to 90 days for foreign tourists. The same form of visa will be valid for up to 180 days for expatriates living in either of the three countries with multiple re-entries, also costing US$100.